Those words were just too sour.
On one hand, Ji Yunxiao felt there was no need to be jealous of a child, but on the other hand, she thought it made perfect sense for this to happen to her Qianqian.
Ji Yunxiao almost wanted to laugh, and she was really enjoying it.
No matter what, if her wife was in a mood, she had to coax her, so Ji Yunxiao asked the auntie to look after Lin Youran, then left the terrace and went somewhere quiet.
Ji Yunxiao said, “Actually, that roast whole lamb doesn’t really count as something I made.”
Ji Yunxiao explained to Lin Qianwei, “To make roast whole lamb, you need to prepare over seventy kinds of spices, dry rub the lamb first, then soak the young lamb in cooled spiced water for twelve hours to marinate it properly.
I didn’t have time to marinate it myself, so I just picked up a pre-marinated lamb from the shop.”
Lin Qianwei said, “So what?”
Ji Yunxiao smiled, “So this roast lamb doesn’t really count as my own cooking.
At most, I just did some finishing touches.
When you come back, I’ll prepare the spices and marinate the lamb myself, so you can taste what my roast lamb is really like, okay?”
Lin Qianwei didn’t agree right away, and kept her usual pride, “Depends on when I have time.”
Ji Yunxiao said, “Anyway, just tell me when you want to eat it.”
Lin Qianwei tried to hide her excitement, but her tone still lifted a little at the end, “Mm~”
Just then, Eilene sent a message too.
Ji Yunxiao glanced at it and told her she was busy and would reply later.
Eilene said OK.
Ji Yunxiao looked back at her call with Lin Qianwei, feeling a little itchy, and asked, “Want to video chat?”
Lin Qianwei refused, “No.”
Ji Yunxiao thought it was a pity, but her tone stayed gentle, “Alright then.”
The other end of the line went quiet, but Ji Yunxiao didn’t feel awkward at all, just a kind of indescribable warmth.
Before coming to this world, after losing Qianqian for so many years, she always used all kinds of busyness to numb herself.
But even so, there were still idle moments.
In those occasional empty times, she would call Qianqian’s number, over and over again.
But back then, there was never any answer.
The person she cared about, the one she’d cherished since childhood, had disappeared into the bottomless sea along with that crashed plane.
Not even a trace of her body could be found.
Ji Yunxiao’s eyes suddenly felt a little wet.
She couldn’t help but call out that name, “Qianqian…”
Her voice was very low, soft as a whisper.
Lin Qianwei didn’t catch it and asked, “What?”
Ji Yunxiao blinked away the mist in her eyes and said lightly, “I said, Qianwei, I miss you so much, you know? Just listening to you breathe like this makes me feel so happy.”
Lin Qianwei seemed to have become an anti-sentimentality expert, and said coldly, “If you’ve got nothing to say, hang up.
You’re so clingy.”
“Alright, I won’t be clingy,” Ji Yunxiao still didn’t want to hang up, so she cleared her throat and asked in a slightly cool voice, “You’re done with work, right? What are you doing now?”
Lin Qianwei told her, “Thinking about something.”
Ji Yunxiao asked, “What are you thinking about?”
“I’m thinking…” Lin Qianwei paused, then said slowly, “I’ve never had your squirrel-shaped mandarin fish either.”
Ji Yunxiao couldn’t help but facepalm.
Lin Qianwei kept her calm tone, “Was the squirrel mandarin fish you made for Youran any good?”
Ji Yunxiao couldn’t help but laugh, “You still remember that?”
Apparently not only did she remember, she was planning to bring up old scores.
Just now Lin Qianwei was complaining about her being clingy, but in Ji Yunxiao’s eyes, her wife being jealous like this was just sweet and adorable.
But Ji Yunxiao just loved her wife being this sweet, sour, and clingy.
So Ji Yunxiao coaxed her seriously, “Next time I’ll make squirrel mandarin fish for you, okay?”
Lin Qianwei said, “Mm.”
Today seemed to be a good day for bringing up old scores.
Even after being coaxed, Lin Qianwei wasn’t completely satisfied and kept settling accounts with Ji Yunxiao, “Also, you promised to make me candied chestnuts, but I never got to eat them.”
Ji Yunxiao shivered, “I’ll make them, I’ll make them all for you.”
Last time, because of that Miss Bai’s nonsense, Lin Qianwei had been really upset.
Ji Yunxiao was afraid Lin Qianwei would remember it again and tried to change the subject, but Lin Qianwei didn’t let her, still speaking coldly, “You’re not going to give the candied chestnuts to another woman this time, are you?”
Ji Yunxiao could only raise her hand and promise, “No, this time when I make them, I won’t give them to anyone else, not even little Youran.”
Lin Qianwei snorted, “Hope you keep your word.”
Ji Yunxiao couldn’t help but laugh.
Lin Qianwei asked, “What are you laughing at?”
Ji Yunxiao blurted out, “Laughing at how cute my wife is.”
Lin Qianwei choked, wanting to retort, but what came out was, “You’re the cute one.”
Ji Yunxiao smiled, “Thanks, but you’re the cutest.”
Lin Qianwei snapped, “I wasn’t complimenting you.”
She must have gotten shy again, because after coldly saying “I’m hanging up,” she ended the call.
Ji Yunxiao leaned against the wall, savoring the moment for a while before finally checking what Eilene had sent.
She replied to Eilene: [Send me the documents.]
After the documents arrived, the two of them had a detailed phone call.
Near the end, Eilene asked, “You said you were busy just now, what were you busy with?”
Ji Yunxiao didn’t hide it, and said directly, “Busy coaxing my wife.”
Eilene teased with a laugh, “I really couldn’t tell before, but President Lin is actually the type who needs to be coaxed.”
Ji Yunxiao’s eyes curved, “But she’s really cute, isn’t she?”
Eilene shook her head, “I can’t say if she’s cute or not, but I can tell you really enjoy it.”
“Of course,” Ji Yunxiao’s voice was full of joy, “I have a lot of hobbies, but the one I never get tired of is coaxing my wife.”
By now, Lin Youran had almost finished eating.
Ji Yunxiao went over, wiped her mouth, took her to wash her hands, and was about to ask the auntie to take care of the leftover lamb when Lin Youran burped, tugged on her sleeve, and said, “Sister Xiaoxiao, I want more lamb bone soup.”
Ji Yunxiao rubbed her round little belly in surprise, “You can still drink more?”
Lin Youran answered crisply, “I can!”
Ji Yunxiao patted her head and smiled, “Alright, I’ll go make it for you now.”
It was completely dark outside, but the villa was still brightly lit.
Lin Yuan had been out all afternoon, and when she heard Ji Yunxiao was still there, she forced herself to come back.
Honestly, she still didn’t know how to face Ji Yunxiao.
Before, she’d criticized Ji Yunxiao as worthless and said all kinds of harsh things, but Ji Yunxiao never argued back.
Then, at her teacher’s seventieth birthday banquet, Ji Yunxiao stunned everyone and slapped her in the face.
Just a few minutes before that konghou performance, she’d been complaining to a friend who’d just returned from abroad, saying her daughter had married a useless troublemaker with no manners, someone who embarrassed her just thinking about it.
But a few minutes later, Ji Yunxiao went on stage with poise and amazed everyone with an original piece.
Afterwards, her most respected teacher pulled her aside and scolded her, telling her not to make things hard for Ji Yunxiao anymore, which made her face burn with shame and left her unable to explain.
That friend who’d just come back from abroad even asked, “Is that really your daughter-in-law? She doesn’t seem anything like what you described.”
What could Lin Yuan say? She suspected Ji Yunxiao was putting on an act, but she had no proof.
Actually, thinking about it carefully, her daughter Lin Qianwei had said more than once that Ji Yunxiao had changed and wasn’t the same person as before, but back then Lin Yuan just didn’t believe it.
Anyway, because of all this, Lin Yuan now felt awkward every time she saw Ji Yunxiao.
She didn’t want to see Ji Yunxiao today either, but who would’ve thought that as soon as she arrived, Yan Lulu and Ji Liuliu, who had been waiting for her, came over to complain.
Lin Yuan immediately perked up, her voice rising several notches.
“What did Ji Yunxiao do this time?” Lin Yuan even encouraged Yan Lulu and Ji Liuliu, “Don’t rush, take your time and tell me.”
Lin Yuan thought these two had caught some dirt on Ji Yunxiao that would let her turn the tables and show off in front of Ji Yunxiao again, but it turned out they were just talking about some boring little squabble.
Besides, Lin Yuan knew her precious granddaughter pretty well.
That kid was super possessive about food.
If she really liked something, forget about sharing it with outsiders—even if someone just got close to her food, she’d get upset.
Even though Yan Lulu was a student she liked and Ji Liuliu was a girl she was pretty fond of, blood was thicker than water—her own granddaughter was still more important.
All Ji Yunxiao did was help her granddaughter guard her food, nothing worth criticizing.
Lin Yuan sighed inwardly and brushed off Yan Lulu perfunctorily, “It’s nothing.
Next time, I’ll take you all out for roast lamb, or get a chef to come cook at home.
I guarantee it’ll be better than what Ji Yunxiao makes.”
“Teacher!” Yan Lulu said anxiously, “It’s not about the roast lamb! I just can’t stand Ji Yunxiao’s attitude.
How can she be so rude?”
Ji Liuliu fanned the flames beside her, her voice soft and slow, “The point is, Lulu is your student, Aunt Lin.
My sister treating Lulu badly is, in a way, disrespecting you.”
Lin Yuan also felt that Ji Yunxiao didn’t respect her at all.
Otherwise, why would Ji Yunxiao never mention that she could play the konghou? And Ji Yunxiao had shown off at her teacher’s birthday banquet, even made her teacher her backer, and got her teacher to scold her harshly.
Thinking about all this, Lin Yuan was still angry, but what could she do? Lin Yuan gritted her teeth and said, “I used to think Ji Yunxiao was just an idiot, but now it seems she’s not stupid at all—she’s actually really sly and cunning.”
Lin Youran heard her aunt say that her grandma was back, so she grabbed a piece of lamb rib to give to her grandma.
But just as she came over, she overheard her beloved grandma badmouthing her favorite big sister again.
Lin Yuan also saw the little one holding the big bone.
She was about to pick her up for a cuddle, but then saw the kid lick the shiny, crispy lamb rib, blink her big round black eyes, and dash off.
Lin Yuan followed behind, worried.
“Slow down! Youran, why are you running? Be careful not to fall.”
Lin Youran ran straight to the kitchen, climbed onto a chair, and tattled to Ji Yunxiao.
Ji Yunxiao played along, bending down and pretending to listen seriously.
Then she heard the little one say, “My grandma was badmouthing you again.
She said you’re sly and cunning.”
Ji Yunxiao hadn’t expected Lin Youran’s big secret to be this.
She couldn’t help but laugh, tapping the little one’s nose with her finger.
“Thanks for telling me, Youran, but it’s okay.”
Ji Yunxiao didn’t care, but Lin Youran pouted and muttered, “Sister Xiaoxiao isn’t like that at all.”
Ji Yunxiao found it funny and asked, “Then what kind of person do you think I am, Youran?” Lin Youran searched her vocabulary and gave her verdict: “Sister Xiaoxiao is beautiful and kind, super super pretty, can cook fish and roast lamb, everything she makes is delicious, and she’s a super nice fairy!”
Lin Yuan: “……”
Lin Yuan had just walked in and heard her precious granddaughter showering Ji Yunxiao with praise, and was instantly speechless and annoyed.
Usually this little brat barely talked to her, but in front of Ji Yunxiao, not only did she become chatty, she even learned how to flatter people.
Why was that? It was really weird.
People always said kids’ likes and dislikes were influenced by their parents.
She was always complaining to Lin Youran about how bad Ji Yunxiao was, but this kid just wouldn’t listen, and every time she saw Ji Yunxiao, she’d run over all happy.
Lin Yuan just couldn’t figure it out.
What was so charming about Ji Yunxiao? Why did her precious granddaughter like her so much? Was it because she played the konghou well? But Lin Youran wasn’t that interested in music.
Was it because her cooking was good? But the family’s well-paid chef made food that tasted just as good, and Lin Youran never gave them the time of day.
Could it be because of Ji Yunxiao’s looks?
Lin Yuan was a total straight woman—no matter how pretty a woman was, it never made her feel anything.
She just couldn’t understand how attractive a pretty woman could be to a little girl.
Lin Yuan just felt confused, while Ji Yunxiao couldn’t see her complicated feelings and said as usual, “Mom, do you want to try some?”
The housekeepers chimed in, “Miss Ji’s roast lamb is especially tasty, you should try it.”
Lin Yuan glared at Ji Yunxiao and snapped, “I’m not eating.”
Only little kids like Lin Youran would be tempted by food—she was an adult.
So what if the roast lamb smelled amazing? She said she wasn’t eating, and that was that.
Seeing that Lin Youran had no intention of leaving with her and was still sticking to Ji Yunxiao, Lin Yuan decided to leave.
She didn’t want to stay here and get annoyed, but Yan Lulu stopped her and gave her a pleading look, asking her to stand up for her.
The Yan and Lin families were old friends.
Yan Lulu was not only her student, but also a child she’d watched grow up.
Lin Yuan softened a little at her request, turned to Ji Yunxiao, and questioned, “What did you do this time?”
Ji Yunxiao was in the middle of splitting lamb bones.
With a few quick moves, she broke the bones into pieces.
Hearing Lin Yuan’s question, Ji Yunxiao just glanced up and replied carelessly, “What did I do?”
Lin Yuan suddenly felt a sense of threat.
She swallowed her original words and changed tack.
“How can you tear at that greasy stuff with your hands?” Lin Yuan said righteously, “Those hands are for writing music and playing the konghou.”
Yan Lulu: “???” Wasn’t she supposed to stand up for her? What was her teacher even saying?
Ji Liuliu was a little anxious too, biting her lip.
Everyone was thinking different things.
Ji Yunxiao just glanced at them and said calmly and obediently to Lin Yuan, “Thanks for your concern, Mom.
Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of my hands.”
“Heh.” Lin Yuan turned and left.
After she left, Yan Lulu and Ji Liuliu chased after her.
Yan Lulu sounded aggrieved.
“Teacher, why didn’t you help me?”
Lin Yuan knew she hadn’t handled things well just now, but there was nothing she could do.
Lin Yuan said, “Lulu, I know you want me to stand up for you, but my teacher already warned me—if I cause trouble for Ji Yunxiao again, she’ll stop acknowledging me as her student.”
Lin Yuan was frustrated.
“I can’t go against my own teacher, can I?”
Yan Lulu wanted to say something but stopped, left speechless.
Ji Liuliu beside her was also silent.
Not long after Yan Lulu and Ji Liuliu left, a pot of fragrant lamb bone soup was ready.
Lin Youran finished a bowl and wanted more, but Ji Yunxiao quickly stopped her.
“If you drink more, you won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
Lin Youran patted her little belly, nodded reluctantly.
“Okay then.”
That day, Lin Youran ended up smelling like roast lamb from head to toe.
Lin Yuan could still smell it when she gave her a bath.
Even though Lin Yuan still didn’t like Ji Yunxiao, every time Lin Youran saw Ji Yunxiao, her mood improved a lot.
Right now, she was sitting in the bathtub, blowing bubbles and singing.
Watching her granddaughter so lively and happy, Lin Yuan decided not to badmouth Ji Yunxiao anymore.
Anyway, she’d always said it before and it never made a difference.
Lin Yuan decided to let it go for now, and asked her precious girl, “Was that roast whole lamb really that good?”
The moment she brought it up, Lin Youran wasn’t sleepy anymore.
She started going on and on about how delicious and fragrant the lamb was, and how amazing the lamb bone soup was afterward.
Lin Yuan ended up tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep, and even when she finally drifted off, her dreams were filled with the taste of roast lamb leg and lamb bone soup.
Unable to take it anymore, Lin Yuan booked a well-reviewed roast lamb restaurant as soon as she woke up, and invited Yan Lulu and Ji Liuliu to join her.
But for some reason, everyone felt that today’s roast lamb just wasn’t as good as the one Ji Yunxiao made yesterday.
Yan Lulu blurted out her thoughts, and Lin Yuan froze for a second, then wiped her mouth with a napkin and said as usual, “It’s just your imagination, all in your head.”
Yan Lulu said, “Alright then.”
…
Ji Yunxiao didn’t have anything going on tonight, and was about to head to the Lin family villa to see Lin Youran when Lin Qianwei messaged her: [I’ll be home in an hour.]
Qianqian’s coming back? Ji Yunxiao couldn’t hide her excitement and called her, asking, “Did you get everything done?”
“Of course.” Lin Qianwei answered, then warned, “Don’t question my work skills.”
“Okay,” Ji Yunxiao laughed, “What do you want to eat? Oh, I was going to the Lin family house to see Youran, do you want to just come over there later?”
There was a pause on the other end, and the mood dropped a bit.
Soon, Lin Qianwei said coldly, “If you want to go, go by yourself.”
Ji Yunxiao realized she’d said the wrong thing and quickly tried to fix it, “My bad, I won’t go either.
You’re coming home today, of course I’ll focus on taking care of you.
Didn’t you say you wanted squirrel fish, candied chestnuts, and roast lamb?”
Lin Qianwei’s tone finally returned to normal.
She said, “Mm, there’s no time to make roast lamb, so forget it.
Just squirrel fish and candied chestnuts.”
Ji Yunxiao smiled gently, “Okay.”
She changed direction, went to buy fish, fresh chestnuts, and some other vegetables, then headed to Lin Qianwei’s apartment to get things ready.
At that moment, Lin Qianwei happened to be passing by a nearby street.
She was leaning back in the Cayenne’s back seat, glancing in the direction of the apartment from afar, and just happened to spot that slender, graceful figure.
Her eyes trembled a little.
Ji Yunxiao’s already here? Lin Qianwei held her breath and urged the driver, “Faster.”
But she wasn’t heading to the apartment just yet.
Fifteen minutes later, the Cayenne stopped in front of a jewelry store.
Lin Qianwei straightened her clothes and got out of the car with elegant, hurried steps.
She was quickly led to the VIP lounge by the manager.
A staff member brought out a delicate velvet box, opened it beside Lin Qianwei, and respectfully said, “President Lin, is this what you wanted?”
Inside the box lay a beautifully crafted silver moonstone anklet, glowing with a soft, tranquil light.
Lin Qianwei picked it up.
It really did look a lot like the one Ji Yunxiao had given her.
After the last moonstone silver anklet was lost, it had completely disappeared.
Even though Lin Qianwei had spent a lot of manpower searching everywhere, there was still no result.
“Maybe someone else picked it up.
Should we put out a lost-and-found notice?” her secretary had suggested at the time, but Lin Qianwei refused without a second thought.
If she put out a notice everywhere, wouldn’t Ji Yunxiao find out? Lin Qianwei didn’t want Ji Yunxiao to know about this.
After all, it was a gift from Ji Yunxiao.
If she found out Lin Qianwei had lost the anklet, what would she think? Lin Qianwei even called Qiao Xi and asked her to help keep it a secret.
Qiao Xi agreed, saying, “Okay, I definitely won’t tell Ji Yunxiao.”
Now, seeing Lin Qianwei’s unhappy expression, the manager asked carefully, “Is there something wrong? We made it exactly according to the picture you gave us.”
Lin Qianwei looked at the moonstone on the silver chain, her face indifferent.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
That anklet was gone for good, so she could only have a new one custom made, hoping to pass it off as the old one.
This anklet was almost identical to the original, even down to the details, but for some reason, Lin Qianwei just didn’t like it as much.
Was it because it wasn’t from Ji Yunxiao? A vague thought surfaced in Lin Qianwei’s mind, but she didn’t dare dwell on it.
“This one’s fine.” Lin Qianwei closed the box and got up to leave.
When she got home, Ji Yunxiao had already finished roasting the chestnuts and was making squirrel fish.
When she saw Lin Qianwei come in, she turned around and said gently, “Just wait a bit, it’ll be ready soon.”
She wasn’t wearing a maid outfit, but she had an apron on, looking calm and gentle.
For some reason, Lin Qianwei suddenly thought of the phrase: “a perfect wife and mother.”
It felt like a soft feather brushed her heart.
Lin Qianwei stood there in a daze, staring at that figure.
It wasn’t until Ji Yunxiao turned and met her gaze that she hurriedly looked away.
“Why are you staring at me?” Ji Yunxiao didn’t tease her much, just smiled and said, “There’s a cup of milk tea on the table for you.
Try it.”
“Oh.” Lin Qianwei awkwardly walked over to the table, picked up the milk tea, and used it to cover her embarrassment.
As the rich milky flavor filled her mouth, Lin Qianwei squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
So good! The milk tea wasn’t greasy at all, with a refreshing sweetness—exactly the kind of flavor Lin Qianwei loved.
“Don’t drink too much, dinner’s almost ready.” Ji Yunxiao said as she tossed the food in the pan.
Lin Qianwei heard her, but didn’t care.
She swirled the straw and took another big sip.
Even after all that milk tea, Lin Qianwei’s appetite wasn’t affected at all, because Ji Yunxiao’s cooking was just that good.
Lin Qianwei finally got to try the squirrel fish, and she totally understood why Ji Yunxiao could win over Lin Youran with just this dish.
Looking at the shiny candied chestnuts, Lin Qianwei wanted to try them too, but just as she reached out, she remembered her own “bold declaration.”
She seemed to have said she’d never eat candied chestnuts again… Lin Qianwei hesitated for a moment and pulled her hand back.
Ji Yunxiao noticed and asked, “Why aren’t you eating? Want me to peel them for you?”
“Even if you peel them, I’m not eating,” Lin Qianwei made an excuse, “I’m full, can’t eat anymore.”
Ji Yunxiao chuckled, “I’ll peel some for you later then.”
Lin Qianwei resisted the temptation and didn’t try the candied chestnuts even later.
Ji Yunxiao thought for a moment and made her a sweet and tangy fruit drink.
The taste of grapes, green raisins, and lemon lingered in her mouth.
Lin Qianwei swung her feet in contentment, letting Ji Yunxiao catch a glimpse of her fair ankle.
Ji Yunxiao stared, entranced, and suddenly remembered to ask, “Why haven’t I seen you wear that moonstone anklet? Do you not like it? Or did you really throw it in the trash?”
Lin Qianwei saw the heartbreak in her eyes and quickly sat up straight, “I didn’t throw it away.”
Lin Qianwei pressed her lips together and repeated seriously, “I really didn’t lose it.”
Ji Yunxiao was a little surprised.
Since when was her wife this honest? To prove it, Lin Qianwei even took out the box, opened it for Ji Yunxiao to see, and said, “Look, isn’t it right here, safe and sound?” Ji Yunxiao raised her eyebrows, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes.
But Ji Yunxiao still hid the scrutiny in her gaze and just softened her voice to coax her, “Put it on for me, let me see, okay?”
Lin Qianwei refused, “No.”
What if Ji Yunxiao found out it was a fake? Lin Qianwei pretended to be calm as she closed the box and said coldly, “I don’t want to wear it today.”
She put the box away and planned to go take a shower, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ji Yunxiao’s gaze still lingering on the box.
No, she had to distract Ji Yunxiao.
Just then, Ji Yunxiao asked her, “How’s the injury on your wrist? Can it get wet? Does it still hurt?”
Actually, it had already scabbed over, the bandage was off, and there was only a band-aid on it.
But Lin Qianwei still played along, “It hurts a lot.”
Sure enough, Ji Yunxiao followed her to the bathroom door, eyes full of concern.
“Let me see.”
Lin Qianwei hid her hand behind her back.
“Don’t look, it just hurts anyway.”
Ji Yunxiao coaxed her, “Let me see, I can’t just let you be in pain.
I have to do something for you.”
Lin Qianwei didn’t even know what she was thinking, and blurted out, “Then… then help me take my clothes off.”
Even Ji Yunxiao was stunned for a moment at this situation.
“What?”
Now that the arrow was on the string, Lin Qianwei couldn’t take it back, so she forced herself to say, “M-my hand hurts, it’s not convenient.
If you don’t want to help…”
Ji Yunxiao stared at her, her gaze turning dark.
Ji Yunxiao said hoarsely, “I want to.”
